6 Health Benefits of Swimming

This favorite summertime activity comes with many healthy perks.

In addition to being a fun way to spend your summer, swimming also happens to be one of the best full-body workouts for people of all ages. This low-impact sport can tone your muscles, offer a safe way to exercise your heart, and help you build strength and endurance. If you’re in search of an enjoyable way to look and feel great all season long, discover – or rediscover – swimming, and take advantage of these wonderful health benefits:

Relieves asthma

Improves sleep quality

Reduces stress

Promotes socialization

Boosts brain function

Improves posture

Keep reading to learn more about each of these benefits of swimming below.

1. Relieves asthma

If you have asthma or any other chronic lung condition, the heat and moisture of water can do wonders for your symptoms. Because dry and cold air can cause the bronchial tubes to contract, the warmth and humidity at a pool or other water environment can offer a soothing reprieve. If you’re swimming in a chlorinated indoor pool, however, be sure it’s well-ventilated and has high ceilings to help redirect chemical lung irritants from the pool area. And it’s important to talk to your doctor about a safe swimming regimen before you begin, especially if you use an inhaler.

2. Improves sleep quality

Experts recommend that most adults aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, and the higher quality of sleep, the better. If you have insomnia or sleeping challenges, an aerobic exercise like swimming can help improve your sleepand leave you feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

While most types of exercise have health benefits, research shows that swimming can be particularly beneficial for emotional and mental health. When you’re treading and paddling along, your brain’s neurotransmitters are firing and influencing mood- and stress-reducing hormones that can help you feel great.

4. Promotes socialization Another one of the health benefits of swimming is that it can promote your social well-being. Whether you take a class at your local community center or invite family and friends over to create new memories at your home pool, there are many ways that swimming can help you connect with others.

Are you experiencing hearing loss? Use these social tips to help you feel more comfortable in social settings.

5. Boosts brain function

Research shows that going for a dip increases blood flow, which can play a role in enhancing memory, clarity, and focus in your everyday life. So, dive in and enjoy a workout that benefits the body – and brain.

Company

Support

Made in America

FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS ANYONE BUT REGISTERED USERS WITH HEARING LOSS FROM USING INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) CAPTIONED TELEPHONES WITH THE CAPTIONS TURNED ON. IP Captioned Telephone Service may use a live operator. The operator generates captions of what the other party to the call says. These captions are then sent to your phone. There is a cost for each minute of captions generated, paid from a federally administered fund. No cost is passed on to the CapTel user for using the service. CapTel captioning service is intended exclusively for individuals with hearing loss. CapTel® is a registered trademark of Ultratec, Inc. (v5.6 10-19)